I have been asked to return to the Chicago Humanities Day Festival at the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago this October to to reprise my talk about the Meresamun facial reconstruction! In mid 2009 I reconstructed the face of 2,800 year old mummy “Meresamun” from 256 CT scan database for The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Meresamun was an Egyptian woman who was a singer in the Interior of the Temple of Amun. She lived in ancient Thebes in about 800 B.C. and was the subject of an exhibition presented by the Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago.

I developed a 3D digital reconstruction process that is perfectly suited for reconstructions where the skull is physically unavailable, too fragile to be handled, or too valuable to risk damage or contamination. Also, it is more accurate than traditional sculptural techniques alone because of the ability to reference the skull continuously to maintain & confirm proper tissue depths & contours. The approach also offers many options in coloring, lighting, and is easily accessorized with hair, jewelry, etc. It was a perfect match for this project. The groundbreaking detail of the Meresamun CT scan offered such a unique opportunity for visualizing & studying such a fascinating piece of history without disturbing it. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to give her a face.